How mice are helping fight food allergy

Peanut exposures are a much feared part of life for many families. Four out of every 100 children have a food allergy – some life threatening. Peanuts and mice might not seem to be related, but they are! Mouse models are consistently and reliably similar to human allergy, thanks to the “genetic revolution” (also made possible largely by mice!). These mouse models have given us an incredible amount of knowledge about how peanut allergies – and food allergies in general – happen, how they can be treated, and how they can be controlled. Researchers at Boston Children’s Hospital and Northwestern University collaborated on an overview of how animal models have advanced our understanding of food allergies. It’s a really fascinating read!